During the 19th and 20th centuries, women encountered obstacles such as the deprivation of voting rights, pay inequality, and overall discriminatory treatment as compared to men. This unfair treatment, compounded by mental health disorders that often went undiagnosed during the time, led to erratic behavior. In both Madame Bovary and The Yellow Wallpaper, we can see how mental illnesses can arise as a result of the female protagonists' circumstances and surroundings. These two novels, both set in the late 1800s, provide insight into mental health conditions and the behaviors that are associated with these disorders.

The term Bovarysme refers to a strong inclination towards escapism through daydreaming, wherein the dreamer envisions themselves as a hero or heroine in a romantic tale, intentionally ignoring the reality of the situation. This term was derived after the publication of Flaubert's Madame Bovary and aptly describes the female protagonist Emma's mindset. Emma's symptoms of Bovarysme are evident as she yearns for a romanticized, fairy-tale-style existence. Her obsession with Paris, for instance, is one of the early indicators of her mental illness. Paris is often thought of as the city of love and Emma believes that by moving there, she can fulfill all her romantic fantasies. Emma spends most of the novel daydreaming about a life that could exist, instead of constructively dealing with the issues at hand. Jane, the protagonist in The Yellow Wallpaper, also displays symptoms of Bovarysme, although her mental state is darker and more detached from reality. While daydreaming is a natural and unconscious behavior of the mind wandering, Jane uses it initially to pass the time or entertain herself. However, she takes her daydreaming to a dangerous level when she begins fantasizing about the images in the wallpaper, constructing a story that she identifies with. She describes the wallpaper as depicting a "strange, provoking, formless sort of figure that seems to skulk about behind that silly and conspicuous front design" (Stetson 650). At the time, Jane neither believed that she was daydreaming nor realized that the woman on the wallpaper represented how she viewed herself. This is a poignant example of how the mind can stray in certain environments, and if left uncontrolled, it can cause harm. Jane sees herself as the heroine, and by ripping the wallpaper from the walls, she is saving herself. Although this thought is conceptual, it demonstrates the extent of Jane's mental illness throughout the story.

Schizophrenia, a mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and lack of motivation, is evident in the central female characters of both Madame Bovary and The Yellow Wallpaper. Emma demonstrates symptoms through her irrational decision-making, creating a state of extreme delusion and mental instability. Her indecisiveness and constant yearning for a fairytale ending are fueled by an alternate reality she has constructed in her mind. Similarly, Jane becomes more delusional and obsessed with the wallpaper, describing it as a living, breathing object. Her persistent fear and belief that her husband and sister-in-law are studying the wallpaper showcase a delusional thought process. These symptoms align closely with schizophrenia and highlight the misdiagnosis and improper care of mental illnesses during the 19th century, particularly among minorities, specifically women.

The mental illness seen in these women can also be attributed to the oppressive societal expectations placed on them. Women were often viewed as weak and subordinate to men, leading to narrow thinking and restricted beliefs. Emma was confined by Charles and his actions, forcing her to seek out her romantic desires elsewhere and ultimately taking over her thoughts. Jane, on the other hand, believed she could save herself by ripping off the wallpaper and becoming one with the women depicted. Both women were limited in their thinking and controlled by men, leading to their descent into madness.

In conclusion, the symptoms of schizophrenia seen in Emma and Jane highlight the struggles faced by women during the 19th century, including the misdiagnosis and improper care of mental illnesses and oppressive societal expectations.

Gustave Flaubert's literary masterpiece, Madame Bovary, can be found in Brentano's bookstore.

Postpartum depression, a condition affecting women after giving birth, is a medical issue covered by Mayo Clinic. Their website, maintained by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, provides extensive information on its causes and symptoms, as of September 1, 2018.

La Tartaruga published The Yellow Wallpaper, a famous work by Charlotte Perkins Stetson, in Milan in 1996.

Schizophrenia is a mental health issue characterized by certain symptoms. Hello Doctor's website posted an article on June 14, 2021, explaining the symptoms of schizophrenia.